@WalterF
First, your tooling is great, way better than mine! My question is about the water wheel. Isn't the water supposed to run into the top of the wheel to make it turn? It doesn't look like there is any place for the water to run from up high. I'm really not trying to be pedantic.
Just to help until the experts arrive. It looks to me like either your top tension is too tight or the bobbin tension is too loose. It also sounds like your tension release isn't working properly. Hope this helps. JM2C, Jim
Just an FYI, very hot tap water is in the 110-130 F range. Water boils at 210 F. That's a pretty big difference. I usually only put NFO on the grain side. It quite a bit easier to get too much on the flesh side(more absorbent). I also put it on before dying. It helps prevent blotches. Probably not an issue with black. JM2C, Jim
I bought my CB 4500 from Bob at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine. I highly recommend him. Call him and visit with him. He was very helpful to me. He advertises on this forum. JM2C. Jim
https://tolindsewmach.com/
Just as an FYI/update. I clicked on the link to see if it was still up and running. McAfee flagged it as a suspicious site. Don't know why, they don't mention that.
I guess I thought it was a joke. I have an airbrush and I use sprayer bottles for various things. There is no comparison on the spray patterns. They might work for a special effect like @Gezzer did. JM2C, Jim
@jrny4wrd,
+1 on the 'roo lace. Springfield Leather in Springfield, MO is where I get mine. Here is a link. Jim
https://www.springfieldleather.com/?client_id=1238685951.1677030909&session_id=1697075498&_ga=2.129192844.1875835430.1697075501-1238685951.1677030909
+1 on the round knife. Yes, I did have to learn how to use it. For straight cuts, I'm trying to use up a knife that @chuck123wapati made for me. By the way, I love it! Thanks again, Chuck. Story here: